HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Pennsbury doesn't look past Truman, wins in five

FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. — Before the third-ranked Pennsbury softball team can turn its attention to Saturday night’s collision with No. 1 Robbinsville and next Tuesday’s rematch with No. 2 Neshaminy, there’s the matter of taking care of two other games this week.

Well, the Falcons certainly took care of business in the first one yesterday by crushing Truman, 11-1, in a quick five innings to raise their record to 15-2.

The way it works now is Pennsbury will up its SONL record to 12-1 if it wins at Abington tomorrow. A victory over Abington would mean Pennsbury would play for at least a share of the title when it takes on Neshaminy next week.

As has so often been the case this year, leading the way was standout lead-off batter Christina Bascara. Having a monster season, the La Salle University recruit went 4-for-4 with a two-run homer in the third and a two-run single in the fourth. Bascara now has five home runs on the season and has to be on the list for consideration for Pennsylvania Player of the Year.

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As has also so often been the case, it was far from a one-girl show

Jess Greeenwald, the Falcons speedy No. 2 hitter, beat out two infield singles yesterday and scored twice to help the stage for No. 3 hitter Suzanne Swanicke. After flying out in the first, Swanicke laced a two-run double in the second and later added a hard single to center.

No. 5 hitter Michelle George also got in on the fun with two hits, including a two-run single in the first inning.

Even better for the Falcons, senior righty Val Buehler was in fine form for the second straight game after struggling with her control in a victory over Council Rock North last week. Buehler gave up just one hit - a single to pitcher Jess O’Neil in the second inning - and did not walk a single batter.

“It was all mechanics,’’ said Buehler of her control problems against Rock North.

Although Pennsbury has a tremendous hitting team, it clearly needs Buehler to come up big in its remaining regular season games and playoffs. Along with her teammates, she certainly will be pumped up for Robbinsville (18-1) Saturday night. Last year, of course, Pennsbury beat the Ravens in 10 innings.

“It’s a great rivalry; it’s a Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey type thing,’’ said Buehler. “It’s a fun game to play in. I don’t know anything about their hitters, but I know it will be great competition.’’

Echoed McSherry: “If we are going to win we will have to play as good as we did last year against them. It should be a great game. We know how good Robbinsville is.’’